Spring forming machine



'1945- H. w. WILKINS 2,390,283

I SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet l 1945. H. w. WILKINS SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY E" %v ATTOR Y Dec. 4, 1945. H. w. WILKINS 2,390,283

SPRING FORMING MACHINE INVENTOR flan 4rd 144 Mai/fins OR EY Dec. 4, 1945. w, w s 2,390,283

SPRING FORMING MACHINE.

Filed Sept. 9, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Han 4rd M M41376.

Dec. 4, 1945. w. w s 2,390,283

SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTOR Y Dec. 4, 1945. H. w. WILKINS SPRING FORMING MACHINE 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 9. 1942 INVENTOR //0n 4r/// V k 025.

BY y I ATTOR Y5- Dec. 4, 1945. w w s 2,390,283

SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 1s SheetsSheet 7 INVENTOR flan 412?! Wz Z Z175.

. 4, 1945. H. w. WILKINS SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR ari 14/ 14 2" ATTOR 1945. H. w. WILKINS 2,390,283

SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR #dWd/"Q 74 fi z 2/5225.

ATTO EY 4 Dec. 4, 1945. H. w. WILKINS SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 H. W. WILKINS SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 I 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 njf .T/ ii-E. i

Dec. 4, 1945. H w w s 2,390,283

SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR Y HaWarJ/4/zZ1Z/75.

- BY V ATTOR Patented Dec. 4, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE srnnvc some momma Howard W. Wilkins, Warren, Micla, aalignor to The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich., a corporation oi. Delaware Application September 9, 1942, Serial No. 457,738

21 Claims.

chine and in which the various operations are accurately coordinated.

A further object of the invention is to provide improvements in the control of the cutoff so that various lengths of spring may be cut ofl through actuation by a simple control means.

. A further object of the invention is to provide improvements in the means for forming the convolutions in the type of spring formed in the above mentioned Horton patent.

A further-object is to provide a novel stacking mechanism in which the spring elements of pre-- determined length are received after the forming and cutoff and are stacked into bundles for easy handling.

Other objects of the invention will become 1 clearly apparent from the following specification,

the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, in which like numerals refer,

to like parts in the several different views:

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view, with parts in cross-section, of a wire forming machine embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a righthand elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view taken substantially along the line 3-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, plan view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 3, showing certain of the parts in elevation and showing the operating structure in greater detail:

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5'5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged. cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 -6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 11 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 0-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the structure shown to the left of Fig. 1 and illustrating such structure in greater detail;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, cross-sectional and elevational view taken substantially along the line ll--|I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view, with the cover removed, taken substantially along the line lI-l 2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line illl of. Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a plan view taken substantially along the line ll-H of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a partial elevational view taken substantially along the line lI-l5 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of the cut-oi! control actuating mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view illustrating the details of the elements employed to put the permanent set in the wire;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the timing mechanism and associated elements for controlling the cut-off; and r Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the mechanism for stopping the feed during cutting and for controlling the discharge on the stacking mechanism.

In general, according to the present invention,

a machine is provided in which a plurality of superimposed strands of wire are simultaneously engaged by a plurality of cam arms carried about spaced centers and arranged to move alternately across the path of wires to bend them flrs't in one direction and then in another to form thewires into sinuous shape. Each of such strips of sinuously shaped wires thus formed is then fed through form rollers to provide a set thereto on a predetermined smaller radius, which radius is smaller than the are that the wire elements assume when placed in use. The strip'is then fed through a cutting device which is intermittently actuated to sever the strip into predetermined lengths. The spring elements of predetermined length are then gathered in bunches which may be removed from the machine when a given number of such elements have been collected.

Referring to the drawings for a more complete 1 understanding of the invention. and referring particularly to Figures 1 through 7 thereof, the mechanism for continuously bending the wire first in one direction and then the other to form the wires into sinuous shape is illustrated. The machine includes a mounting standard generally indicated at 20 which is in the general form of a table and which has a housing generally indicated at 22 mounted on one end thereof. Such axial displacement.

housing 22 serves to house the mechanism for continuously forming the strands of wire into sinuous form.

The strands of wire 24 and 28 are fed from a suitable source of supply. which ma be coils 01' 8 such wire suitably mounted adjacent the machine, through guide means generally indicated at 28. Such guide means 28 includes a mounting block 38 which is mounted on the trailing face of the housing 22. An upstanding guide plate 32 10 gated guide arm 38 is .pivotally mounted to the guide block 38 adjacent the rear end thereof by means of a pivot shaft 48. Such-pivot shaft 48 is received through a vertical bore formed in the member 38 and the upper end of the shaft 48 is pinned to the arm 38. Suitable roller bearings are provided in the block 38 for mounting the shaft 48 therein, and a nut is threaded to the lower end of the shaft for securing it against The arm 88 projects away from the guide plate 32 and has an upwardly turned front end to which is fixed a guide element 42. Such guide element 42 is formed with longitudinally extending, converging guide apertures 44 and 48, which are adapted to receive therethrough the strands of straight wire 24 and 28,

respectively.

As the strands of wire leave the. guide element 42, they are received, by the forming means in which both of the wire strands 24 and 28 are simultaneously bent back and forth to give the wires the sinuous form. Such forming means includes a pair of transversely spaced, vertical shafts 48 and 88, which are mounted within suitable bearings provided in the housing 22. The

shafts 48 and 88 are driven by a worm 82, which is keyed to a drive shaft 84, through worm wheels 88 and 88, respectively.

The shafts 48 and 88 project upwardly within the housing 22 through stationary sleeves 88,

which are fixed to a horizontal portion 88, forming an integral part of the housing 22 through an annular flange 8|. Each of the shafts 48 and 88 has a circular plate member 83 secured thereto so that such plates 83 are driven through the shafts 48 and 88. Each of the plates 83 is formed 50 with a plurality of annularly spaced openings 82 therethrough, which are adapted to pivotally receive therein pivot shafts 84 of the forming elements which are generally in the form of bell cranks. Each of such forming elements includes a laterally projecting forming arm 88, which has its inner end keyed to the upper end of its pivot shaft 84 for rotation therewith. The arms 88 for the shafts 48 and 88 are off-set and are reversed best in Fig. 5, so that they pass in superimposed relation to each other with a space therebetween. The lower arms 88 each have upwardly projecting pins 88 mounted on the outer ends thereof,

shaft 84 so that the pins 88 and I8follow a definite path by means of depending arms 14 which may be formed integrally with the pivot shaft portions 84. determined rotative position with respect to the pivot portions 84 so that such arms 88 will have a predetermined definite angular relationship with the depending arms 14. Each of the arms 14 has a downwardly extending cylindrical end portion I8 which has a bearing sleeve 18 fixed v thereto.

The downwardly projecting portion 18 of each of the arms I4, for each of the shafts 48 and 88, is received within a cam groove 88 provided incam plates 82. Each of such cam plates 82 is secured to the horizontal portion of the casing 22. The cam grooves 88 are of predetermined contour so as to cause the forming arms 88 to follow predetermined paths as they rotate with the plates 83. Such arms 88 follow substantially the same paths as those disclosed in the, above mentioned Horton patent. As in the Horton patent above referred to, kicker means are provided for engaging that portion of the rollers 18 above the upper edge of the cam slot to force the travelof the arms around the sharp lip portion of the cam slot when the projections 88 and 18 are in engagement with the wires. According to the present invention, such means include cam or kicker plates 84 provided withnotehes 84, there being one of such kicker plates 84 provided for the arms driven by shaft 88 and another kicker plate provided for the arms carried by shaft 58. Each of such plates 84 is keyed to a short shaft 88 to be driven thereby in synchronism with the drive of shafts 48 and 58. The rollers 18 are engaged in the notches 88 and are then engaged by the periphery of the cam plate 84 to cause such arms to follow a predetermined path. The peripheral edge of the cam plates is of a predetermined development to obtain the path of movement desired. .Each plate is a twin plate, 1. e., each plate has a pair of developed surfaces so that for one revolution of the cam plate two arms are engaged insuccession.

The shape of the adjacent convolutions of the wires is controlled by the points of engagement of the wires by the projections on the arms, 1. e., by the relative positions of the arms during engagement. In order to adjustably vary the shape of 'such convolutions, that is with the adjacent convolution disposed closely together or disposed a greater distance apart, means are provided for varying the path of movement of the arms during their engagementwith the wires. Such means include means for varying the shape of the cam groove 88 along a portion thereof and also means for varying the relative position of the shafts 88 in position with respect to eachother, as shown and the upper arms 88 have similar depending 85 pins 18 mounted on the outer ends thereof. The pins I8 lie adjacent the upper surfaces of the lower arms 88 and the pins 88 lie adjacent the under surfaces of the upper arms 88. The outer ends of the pins 88 and 18 are each outwardly flared, as indicated at 12 for the purpose of properly positioning the wires 24 and 28 as they are engaged by the pins 88 and 18.

The arms 88 rotate along with their respective plates 88 and such arms are pivoted about their with respect to its shaft 48 and 88, which in effect varies the position of the cam plates 84. In varying the position of the cam plates 84, the engagement of such with the forming arms is varied which in cooperation with varying the cam grooves 88 will vary the shape of the convolutions.

The shape of the cam grooves 88 is varied by means including a movable element 88, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 8. Such element 88 is generally triangular in shape and has one corner thereof pivotally connected to the cam plate 82 0 by means of a pivot pin 98. The plate 88 extends through aslot in one wall of the cam plate 82 and has a cover plate 82 overlying it and fixed to the plate 82. One edge 84 of the element 88 forms "ne edge of the cam track and is engaged by the roller of one of the arms to control the Path of The arms 88 may be fixed in a presuch arm. The opposite end of the arm 88 projects laterally beyond the side of the cam plate 82 and has a depending integral projection '88 formed thereon. i

The position of the guide edge 84 is varied by pivoting the element 88 about the pivotpin 90. In order tocontrol such pivotal movement, a slid.- able adjusting bar 88 is mounted'on the horizontal portion 80. Such bar" is slidable through an aperture inguid block 88 which may be suitably secured to the horizontal portion 80. The adjusting block 88 has a recess IOI formed therein adjacent one end thereof and also has a transverse slot I02. The projection 88 is received within the transverse slot I02 and the recess I0l permits clearance for the arm 88 as the member 88 is moved with respect thereto.

The member -08 has a tap ed opening I04 formed through one end thereof and receives therein a screw I08. The screw I08 is rotatably mounted within bearings through one of the walls of the casing 22 and has a. hand crank I08 secured to the outer end thereof. It will be appreciated that by rotating the screw I08, the member 88 is caused to move longitudinally with the guide block '99. With suchmovement, the projection 88 may slide with the slot I02 which causes pivotal movement of the element 88 to vary the position of the edge 84 with respect to the cam roove 80. An indicator block H0 may be connected to the member through a mounting post H2 which extends through an elongated aperture in the guide block 88. The indicator H0 may project through an elongated opening or window in the top of casing 22 and may be provided with suitable marking which corresponds to the markusing 22 to indicate the ing on the top of the ho extent of the adjustment.

While the specific means for varying the shape of the cam track has been described for one of the sets of arms onlyfitfwill be understood that the same means are provided for the other set. The projection 98 for theother set is received within the slot I02 so-that both are adjusted simultaneously. I

Eachof the cam plates 84 is driven in synchro nism with its shaft 48 or by means of a gear I I4. One of such gears I I4 is keyed to the shaft 48 for rotation therewith, and the other gear I I4 is keyed to the shaft 50 and for rotation therewith. Each of the shafts 88 has a pinion H8 keyed thereto which meshes with one of th gears H4. Thus the cam plates 84 are driven in synchronism with the shafts 48 and 50.

The shafts .88 are each mounted for adjustment about the shafts 48 and 50, respectively. The means for so mounting the shafts 88 are best shown in Figs. 5, 6, 8, and 9. Each of such shafts 88 is mounted to a mounting plate H8. Such mounting plate H8 is provided with an aperture I20 therethrough which is concentric to the shaft 48 or 50, and which is formed with an annular shoulder which is complementary in shape to an annular shoulder provided on the flange 8| so. that such plate I I8 is mounted at one end by. the flange 7 8| and may rotate about shaft 48 or 50; The-shaft 88 is provided with a shoulder I2I which; rests; upon a boss I22 formed integrallyiwith the plate H8. The shaft 88 projects downwardly below he 70 plate H8 and has the pinion H8'keyedt rem and mounted thereon by. means of 'a nut. he boss I22 and the shaftj88 project through an" elongated aperture I24 which is formed injthe' horizontal portion 80 and permits move ljo .tical in structure. therefore, suffice for an understanding of the ment of the shaft 88 about shaft 48 or 50 as a center.

The remote edge of the plate |I8is supported by a post I28 which has a lower end threaded into the plate H8 and which projects through an elongated aperture I28 in portion 80. The post I28 is provided with an annular shoulder I which bears against the upper surface of the horizontal portion 50 and serves to assist in supporting the plate H8.

The means for adjustably varying the positions of the shafts 88 so that both of the kickers 04 may be simultaneously adjusted includes a worm I82 which is keyed to a shaft I84. Such shaft I84 extends through an aperture I 88 and a mounting plate I88. Such mounting plate I88 is mounted to the rear face of the casing I22. A hand wheel I40 is keyed to the shaft I84 for turning the worm I82.

A worm wheel I42 is keyed to a transverse shaft I44, which extends in opposite directions from the worm wheel I42, and which may be mounted within suitable mounting brackets I48 on the inner face of the mounting plate I88. The opposite ends of the shaft I44 are threaded and such threaded ends are threadably received within tapped openings in clevises I48. There is one of such clevises provided for each of the plates H8 and the outer end of each of such clevises is pivotally connected to the outer end of its plate H8 by means of a pivotal pin I50. The threads on the member I40 are such that when the hand crank I40 is turned in one direction, the plates H8 are drawn together, while,

when the hand wheel is turned in. the opposite direction, the plates H8 are separated.

An indicator means may be provided on each of the clevises I48 and such means may project outwardly through an aperture or window I52 provided in the mounting plate I88 so that the extent of the adjustment may be seen. It will be appreciated that as the shafts .88 are rotated about the shafts 48 and 50, as the centers, the pinions will, of course, remain in mesh with the driving gears H4.

The adjustment of the element 88 afiects the position of the arms 88 particularly when such arms are in the position indicated by'A in Fig. 4; and the adjustment of the shafts 88 affects the position of the arms 88 when they are in the position indicated at B in Fig. 4. By making these relative adjustments, it will be appreciated that the arms 88 may be disposed closely together when in such positions A and B, or may be more separated when in such positions A and B which will have the effect of varying the shape of the convolutions formed in the wires.

After the strands of wire 24 and 28 leave the mechanism which forms the convolutions therein, such strands are passed through mechanisms in which the permanent set is placed therein, the wire is cut oif to lengths, and such cut-off lengths are stacked or gathered into bunches. There is a setting, a cutoff, and a stacking mechanism provided for each of the wires 24 and 28 and such mechanisms for both wires are iden- A description of one will;

construction and operation of both.

The mechanism for setting, cutting-oi! and gathering the strands of wire is mounted on'the standard 20 and includes a central housing generally indicated at I54, having a casting generallyindicated at I58, removably mounted to one side thereof, and another similar casting I88 removably mounted to the other side thereof. The housing I54 serves to mount the operating and timing mechanisms. The casting I68 serves to mount the setting, cutting-off and gatherin mechanism for the wire 26 and the casting I68 serves to mount the setting, cutting-oi! and gathering mechanism for, the strand 24.. The strands 24 and 26 are, therefore,separated after they leave the convolution forming mechanism, as best shown in Fig. 3, and are passed through guides I60. wire 26 to the mechanism within the casting I56, and the other guide I60 leads the wire 24 to the mechanism mounted on casting I68.

The mechanism for placing the permanent set in the wire, which set is on an are less than the are which the wire assumes when in use, is best shown in Figs. 10, 11, and l7. The wire is led to the setting mechanism by 'a guide shoot I62. Such wire is then trained about a driven forming roller I 64. Such forming roller I64 has a One of such guides I60 leads themodes Such mechanism includes a mounting plate I84 which may be fixed on the casing I64; and such mounting plate has a screw link I86 pro ectlng plurality of teeth I66 formed in the peripheryv thereof and such teeth are adapted to engage between the convolutions of the wire so that the wire lays against the peripheral surface of the roller I64. Such roller I64 is keyed to a drive sleeve I68 which is mounted within the housing I56 and such sleeve receives therethrough a drive shaft I10. The shaft I10 is connected to the sleeve I68 through an end plate I12 and a shear pin I14. The sleeve I68 has an annular flange I16 adjacent the end plate I12 and such flange I16 is provided with a plurality of apertures therein so that the shear pin I14 may en a e in one of the apertures to provide a driving connection between the roll I64 and the shaft I10. The plurality of apertures are provided so that the roll I64 may be suitably adjusted with respect to the drive. In the event of a wire jam through one end thereof in which the inner threaded end thereof passes through a nut' I88. Such nut I88 is rotatably mounted on the bracket I84 and by turning the nut, the link I88 may be adjusted toward and from the forming mechanism. Another link I88 has one end thereof connected to the member I88 by means of a pin 20I which is received within an elongated slot 202 formed in the member I88. The hnk I88 is connected to the link I86 through a toggle link 204. Such toggle hnk 204 is pivotally connected to the hnk I88 by means of a pm 208 and is connected to the link I88 through a pivot slot 208 and a pin 2Iu. A compression spring zlz embraces the link I88 and has one end abutting against the toggle link 204 and the opposite end abutting against the member I88.

The proper aolustment may be set through a nut I88 and alter the proper setting is reached,

the belt II8 may be swung away from the forming IOU-e1 by breaking the toggle connection through turning the hnk 284, without disturbing the ad usted setting. with the toggle link in its operating position, the compression spring 2I2 and the connection between the hnk Is: and the in the forming roll, the pin I14 will shear off to prevent damage to the rest of the mechanism.

The wire 26 is bent around the roll I64 and is urged thereagainst by means of endless link belt I18. Such chains are trained-about rollers I80 and I82 in driving engagement therewith. The rollers I80 and I82 are keyed on shafts I84 and I86, respectively. The shaft I86 is mounted within suitable bearings in the casting I56 and is driven in a manner to be described hereinafter. The shafts I84 and I86 are mounted for adjustment with respect to each other so as to control the tension and contour of the forming belt I18. To so mount the shafts I84 and I86, a pair of yokes from mounting elements I88 and I80 are provided with the shaft I84 mounted in the yoke of member I88 and the shaft I86 mounted in the yoke of member I80. The members I88 and I80 are mounted for sliding movement with respect to each other by means of screws or bolts I82 which are mounted on one of the members and received in tapped openings in the other so that by turning such screws I82 the members I88 and I80 may be moved with respect to each other for varying the position of the shafts I84 and It will be appreciated that the wire 26 passes between the belt I18 and the roller I64 and is urged thereagainst by the belt so that a permanent set is placed in the wire.

In order to vary the force at which the wires are urged against the forming roller, and to take up any shock that may be placed on the belt I18, an adjustable mechanism is mounted on the side of the casing I64 inthe position shown mm. 10.

member I88 through the elongated slot 202 permits a hmited movement of me wheel I8u away from the Iolmmg roller I64 in the event of a shock load ontne cnam.

It will be appreciated that the wire is fed through the machine at high speeds and that afterthe wire leaves the setting mecnamsm just described, it passes to and through the cutofi mechanism generally indicated at 214 in Fig. 10. The wire is stopped during the cutoff, and the movement of the setting mechanism is also timed to stop during the cutoff. In order to insure proper feed or the wire to the cutoff, and to prevent jamming, in the event that the cutoff is not proper, and in the event that the feed through the setting mechanism might continue, saf ty means are provided and are disposed adjacent the outlet side of the setting mechanism, as best shown in Figs. 10 and 17. As the wire leaves from between the roll I64 and chain around wheel I82, it passes through a guide slot 2I6 which is formed in a guide plate 2I8 having a. movable cover plate 220 mounted thereon. Such cover plate 220 is mounted for movement upwardly and is resiliently urged downwardly through a depending mountin arm 222. The arm 222 is connected to the cover plate 220 and the upper end thereof bears against a pin 224 which is mounted for sliding movement within a bracket 226. The bracket 226 is mounted to the housing I56. The pin 224 is resiliently urged downwardly by means of a compression spring 228 which bears against a collar 230 fixed to the pin 224 and bears against the underside of a flange 232 formed on the bracket 226. The arm 222 is operatively connected to a limit switch 234 through an operating crank arm 236.

In the event that the wire jams as it passes through the conduit 2I5, such wife will be urged upwardly against the cover plate 220, which in turn will urge the arm 222 upwardly and operate the limit switch 224 to cut off the driving motor and thereby stop the machine.

As stated, the wire then passes to a cutoff mechanism. The cutoff mechanism here employed may be the same as that used in the Horton patent above referred to.

The cutoff mechanism 2 includes a pair of cooperating dies between which the wire passes. The lower of such diesis indicated at 238 and is stationarily mounted on the casting I66. The upper of such dies 246 is mounted for reciprocation on a slide 242 (Fig. 13). Such slide 242 is received within ways formed in the casting I56. The slide member 242 is pivotally connected through a pivot pin 244 with the lower end of a crank arm 246. The upper end of such crank arm 246 is pivotally connected to a crank shaft 248. Such crank shaft 248 is received within suitable bearings in the upper end of the casting I56 and is operatively connected to the driving mechanism for intermittent actuation in a manner that will be described in detail hereinafter.

The wire 26 is fed through its cut-oil mechanism to a predetermined length before it is cut off. Before it is cut off, it is engaged by the driving or feed drum 256 (Figs. and 14). Such feed drum 256 has a plurality of annularly spaced teeth 252, which are disposed at a slight inclination in the driving direction, and such teeth are adapted to engage between the convolutions oi the wire. After such wire is engaged by the driven wheel 256 and is passed through the cut-off to its predetermined length, it is cut off; and such wheel then serves to feed the wire to a gatherin mechanism, generally indicated at 254 (Figs. 10 and 12). It will be appreciated that at the time the wire is fed to the gathering mechanism it has been cut off into its predetermined length and a permanent set has been placed therein. Such wire tends to assume this set so that it tends to assume a closed loop, although the ends are somewhat separated.

The leading end is then fed downwar'dy by the wheel 256 to the gathering mechanism 254. Such gathering mechanism 254 includes a receiving drum 256 which is mounted to the central portion of the housing I54 and the cut-off lengths of wire are disposed therearound, as shown in Fig. 12. A bar 258 of reduced diameter is disposed adjacent the receiving portion 256 and is adapted to have the lengths of spring wire disposed thereon in bunches after a predetermined number have been gathered. Such bunches of elements are disposed on the reduced portion and may be readily removed from the free end thereof.

As the wires are deposited on the receiving portion 254, they are forced between embracing arms 266 and 262. The arm 262 is outwardly flared adjacent the top thereof, as indicated at 264, so as to receive the leading end of each of the wire elements as it is fed by the feed wheel 256 and guided around the receiving drum between the arms 266 and 262. Such arms 266 and 262 are disposed in crossed relationship with their lower ends fixed to mating gears 266. Such mating gears are mounted on suitable shafts 268, which in turn are mounted to a mounting bracket 216, which is fixed to the housing I54. The gear 266, which is associated with the shaft 266, has an operating link 212 fixed thereto. The opposite end of such link has a shaft 214 pivotally connected thereto. The link 212 also has a hook 216 fixed thereto intermediate the ends thereof, which book has a tension spring 218 connected thereto and connected to the housing I54, so as to urge the link 212 in a clockwise direction. This resiliently urges the arms 266 and 262 to their closed position.

The arms 266 and 262 are adapted to be separated when the predetermined bunch of wires are removed from the receiving portion 256 and deposited onto the take-off portion 258. A reciprocable sleeve member 286 is slidably disposed over the portion 256 and has an annular flange 282, which is adapted to en age the bunch of wires and push them onto the take-off portion.

Means are provided for controlling the opening of the arms 266 and 262 in synchronism with the movement of the push-off member 286. Such means include the mounting for the drive wheel 256 and the elements associated with the operating means for the push-off member 286. The feed wheel 256 is keyed to a stub shaft 284 which is received within suitable bearings in an adjustable gear housing member 286, as shown in Fig. 14. Such housing member 286 is adjustably fixed to an elongated arm 288. The arm 288 is formed with an elongated notch 296 adjacent the outer end thereof, and such arm is connected to.

the rod 214 through the notch 296 by means of a pin 292. The elongated slot 296 will permit slight opening of the arms 266 and 262.

The push-off member 286 is actuated through a cam by a shaft 294 in combination with other elements to be described in detail hereinafter; and such shaft 294 has a cam element 296 keyed thereto, as shown in Fig. 12. The wheel 296 is formed with a notch 298 therein, which is adapted to receive a small disc or wheel 366. Such wheel 366 is rotatably mounted on the arm 288. When the shaft 294 is caused to rotate to operate the push-off member 286, the actuating member 296 is turned with the shaft; and the wheel 366 moves out of the notch 298 and is engaged by the periphery of the member 296 which pivots the arm 288 upwardly about the shaft 362, to which it is pivotally mounted adjacent the rear end thereof, as shown in Fig. 14. As the arm 288 moves upwardly, the rod 214 is pulled upwardly, which causes the link 212 to turn in a counterclockwise direction. This causes the intermeshing shafts 266 to rotate in such a direction as to open the arms 266 and 262. Such arms remain open while the push-oil. member 286 passes therebetween in shoving the predetermined bunch of wires onto the take-off portion 258 and returning to its position.

The drives for the various operating elements are such that those elements which form the convolutions in the wire are driven continuously and the sinuously formed wire is continuously fed to the setting, cut-off and gathering mechanisms. The cut-off is, of course, operated intermittently and is controllably actuated to cut-oif wires of various predetermined lengths. During the actual cut-off, the elements which place the set in the wires are stopped. After a predetermined number of wires have been received by the gathering mechanism, the push-off element is actuated to deposit such gather of wire lengths on the take-oil ortion 258, and at such time the arms 266 and 262 are open to permit such pushoff operation.

The machine may be driven by an electric motor 364 (Fig. 1) which is mounted to and operatively connected with a variable speed reducer 366. Such speed reducer may be mounted to the underside of the standard I26. The speed reducer 366 has driven shafts 368 and 3l6 projecting from opposite sides thereof. The drive shaft 3I6 may be connected through a chain M2 and sprockets with the shaft 54 for driving the mechanism which forms the convolutions in the spring. The shaft 386 may be connected through a chain 3I4' and sprockets with a main drive shaft 3I6 (Fig. 11) for driving the setting, outoff, and gathering mechanisms. The various shafts to be described hereinafter are, of course, mounted within suitable bearings in the housing I54 and it is not believed that it is necessary to describe the particular shape of the housing or the particular location and construction of each of the bearings. which are indicated, as such details will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The drive for the setting mechanisms is shown in Fig. 11, and it will be understood that the mechanisms for both of the wires 24 and 26 are driven simultaneously.

The shaft I18, for driving the forming drum I84, projects into the housing I54 and has a double width gear 3I8 keyed thereto, as shown in Fig. 11. The main drive shaft 3I8 has a worm 328 keyed thereto which meshes with a worm wheel 322. The worm wheel 322 is keyed to a drive shaft 324, which is axially aligned with the shafts I18. The shaft 324 is continuously driven, during the normal operation of the machine, and the shaft I18 is driven thereby through a flexible driving connection which will permit momentary stoppage of the shaft I18 during the cutting operation.

Such flexible driving connection for each of the shafts I18 includes a member 326, which is keyed to the shaft 324. The member 326 is drivingly connected to a disc member 328 t rough a worm 338. wh ch is mounted to the member 326 and which drivingly engages teeth formed on the periphery of the disc member 328. The purpose of employing the worm and teeth connection between the members 328 and 328 is to permit relative adjustments therebetween. The plate member 328 has one end of a flat spiral spring 332 connected to the outer edge thereof by means of a pin 334. The inner end of the spring 332 is fixed to a stop ratchet wheel 338 which Is keyed to the shaft I18. The stop ratchet wheel 338 serves to hold the shaft I18 stationary during the cutoff operation. and the manner in which it is actuated wfll be described hereinafter in connection with the description of the operating elements shown in Fig. 19. When the ratchet 336 is stopped, it will be appreciated that rotation of the shaft I18 is also momentarily stopped; and, while the shaft 324 continues to drive. the drive is taken up in the spring 332, When the ratchet 338 is released, it will be a preciated that the spr ng 332 then returns to its normal position which accelerates the rotation of the shaft I18 until the normal drive is taken up by the shaft 324. i

The drive for the driven shafts I86. for the chains I18, is through the double width gears 3I8. Each of such gears meshes with a gear 338, which is keyed to the shaft I88. as shown in Fig. 11. Such gear 338 is so spaced that it engages one portion of the teeth of gears 3I8,

The other portion of each of the double faced gears 3I8 is in mesh with a pinion 348, which is mounted to its casting I56 or I58 by means of a pivot pin 342. Each of such gears 348 then meshes with a drive ear 342. shown in Figs. 11 and 14. Such gear 342 is mounted on shaft 382 (Fig. 14). The gear 342 has a bevel gear 344 fixed to one face thereof which meshes w th a bevel pinion 345, The bevel pinion 348 is keyed to a shaft 348 which is mounted to the arm 288 through a bearing bracket 358 and the 'housing 286. The shaft 348 has an elongated rib 352 extending axially thereof, and a pinion 354 is drivingly connected to the shaft 352 for sliding adjustment therealong. The bevel pinion 354 meshes with a bevel gear 358 which is keyed to the shaft 284 for driving the feed wheel 258.

The purpose of the sliding connection between the shaft 348 and the pinion 354 is to provide for adjustment of the housing 288 along the length of the arm 288, so as to accommodate different lengths of wire. That is, the housing 286 is adjustably connected to the arm 288 by means of bolts 358 which pass through an elongated slot formed in the arm 288. Thusfor various lengths of wire the housing 238 may be shifted longitudinally of the arm 288 so that the fingers 252 on the wheel 258 may properly engage the wire as it is fed through the cutoff mechanism.

It will also be appreciated that since the wheel 258 is driven from the gear 3I8, the drive of such wheel is in synchronism with the drive of the drum I64, so that when the drum I84 is stopped tire feed wheel 258 also stops.

The drive for operating the crankshafts 248 to perform the cutting-ofi operation is shown best in Figs. 11 and 18. The drive is from the shaft 3I6, and includes a beveled gear 388 keyed to the shaft 3I6 for rotation therewith. The gear 388 meshes with another beveled gear 382, which is keyed to a vertically extending shaft 384. Such shaft is supported within suitable bearings and a beveled pinion 386 is keyed to the upper end thereof. The pinion 366 meshes with a beveled gear 368, which is fixed to one face of a flywheel 318. The gear 368 and the flywheel 318 are mounted on suitable roller bearlugs for rotation about a driveshaft 312.

The drive shaft 312 is mounted within suitable bearings and is axially aligned with the crankshafts 248. The shaft 312 is adapted to be clutched to the flywheel 318 at timed intervals to drive the shaft 312 and to perform the cut-oil operations by a mechanism which will be I descr bed in detail hereinafter.

The adjacent ends of the shafts 248 and 312 are splined, and the ends of shaft 312 are formed with axial projections which are received within axial recesses in the adjacent ends of shafts 248,

so as to maintain proper axial alignment between 1 these sh afts.

A manual clutch 314 is disposed over the adjacent splined portions at each end of the shaft 312 for the purpose of providing a driving connection therebetween. The clutch 314 is formed with a shape complementary in shape to the splines on shafts 312 and 248, so that by shifting the clutch 214 longitudinally of the shaft such shafts may be thrown into or out of driving engagement. The manual clutches 314 are provided so that the cutoff mechanism may be cut out without affecting the remaining operations o the machine. Normally, the clutches are so positioned that the shafts are in driving engagement.

The flywheel 318 is driven continuously and is intermittently connected to the shaft 312 through a two-part, pin release, slip clutch, which is of conventional construction per se.. Such clutch includes one part 316, which is fixed to the gear 368 and the flywheel 318 for constant rotation therewith; and another co-operating clutch part 318, which is resiliently urged into driving engagement with the clutch part 318 by means of aa'eaaaa a spring 383. The parts 318 and 318 are held out ofgdriving engagement by means of a pin 38!,

which is fixed to the clutch part 318 for rotatiim therewith and which, on rotation, is adapted to engage a wedgingguide 333 to separate the clutch parts 318 and 318. Thevwedglng member 383 is formed with a shoulder 388, which is engaged by the pin 38I to prevent rotation of the clutch. part 318. The member 383 is moved out of engagement with the pin 38!, which permits the clutch parts 316 and 318 to engage, through the action of the spring 313, so that both of suchclutch parts are driven. The clutch part 318 is fixed to the shaft 312, so that when the clutch part 313 is held against rotation the shaft 312 will not rotate. while when the clutch part 318 rotates. the shaft 312 also rotates. It will be appreciated; that when the clutch parts 318 and 318 are in engagement, the crankshafts 248 are then driven through one revolution to perform the cutoff operation.

The cutoff is accuratelv timed, and means are provided for controlling the release of the clutch part313 in such accurately timed relationship. The timing of the cutoff may also be varied, so as to vary the length of the strips which are cut off. The timing and control means are shown in 4 Figs. 16 and 18.

The control means includes a vertical member 388 having a longitudinal bore therethrough and havin a cap 382 closing the upper end thereof. A hardened tubular member 384 is disposed within a portion of the bore and is adapted to reciprocably rece ve therein an actuating plunger 388. The lower end of the plunger 388 is pivotally conhected to one end of a connecting link 388 by means of a pivot pin 333. The lower end of the link 388 is pivotally connected to a crank arm 332 by means of a pivot pin 334. The crank arm 332 is fixed to one end of a shaft 338, which is mounted within a suitable bearing 338. The shaft 338 has a bevel gear 433 keyedthereto which meshes with another bevel gear 432, which is keyed to the shaft 384. Thus, upon rotation of the shaft 364 the crank arm 332 is rotated to cause reciprocation of the actuating plunger 386 within the sleeve 384.

The sleeve 384 is formed with apertures 434 and 438 therethrough, the lower edge of the aperture 438 lying adjacent the plunger 388 when it is at the bottom of its stroke, and the lower edge of the aperture 434 lying adjacent the plunger when it is at the upper end of its stroke. The apertures 434 and 438 are aligned with downwardly sloping apertures formed in the member 383. -A sloping tubular shute 438 is so formed as to have one end thereof in communciation with the aperture 438. The shute and the communiw eating apertures with the apertures 434 and 438 are so formed that the slope is downwardly at all points from the upper aperture 434 to the lower aperture 438.

A predetermined number of small balls 3 and large balls 2 are adapted to be disposed for travel through the shute 438 and through the sleeve 384. When the plunger 388 is at the bottom of its stroke, one Of the balls 3 or 2 will drop through aperture 438 onto the top of the actuating plunger 388.

In order. to insure the positioning of a ball onto the top of plunger. 384, a dog 4 is pivotally mounted to the member 383 within a suitable space provided therein by means of a pivot pin 8. The dog 4 has a projecting arm 8, which is adapted to extend through a suitable slot to strike one of the balls and force it through aper ture 438. The dogis actuated by means of .a tab 423, which is received within a groove 422 formed in the plunger 388. As the plunger 388 reaches the lower end of its stroke, the upper end of the groov 422 strikes the tab 423 and causes the dog 4 to strike one of the balls. The dog is normally held to its retracted position by means of a compression spring 424, which engages another projection 426 formed on the dog to cause it to move in a clockwise direction. The lower end of the groove 422 will also strike the projection 423 when the plunger reaches its upper position to insure return of the dog 4" to its out-ofetheway position.

With one of the balls disposed on the top of the plunger 388, when the plunger is moved upwardly it carries the ball to a position adjacent the aperture 434. A guide member 428 is positioned. within the sleeve 384 adjacent the aperture 434, and is resiliently urged downwardly by means of a compression spring 433. The memher 423 is formed with a 45 face 432, which is directed toward the aperture 434. It will thus be appreciated that when the ball is forced against the face 432 by the plunger 388, it will be forced through aperture 434 and into the upper end of the guide tube 438 from which it will roll downwardly to the outlet 438.

The reciprocation of the plunger is, of course, in timed relation with the cutoff drive'through a common drive, and for each reciprocation of the plunger 388 one ball is moved upwardly through aperture 434. A predetermined number of small balls and large balls are employed which represent convolutions in the wire to be cut off. When thesmall balls pass upwardly within the tube 384, nothing happens to cause actuation of the cutoff mechanism, but when one of the large balls passes upwardly through the tube384 it actuates means which cause the cutoff. Such actuating means is shown in Fig. 18, and includes an operating arm 434 which is pivotally connected to the member 383 by means of a pivot pin 436. The member 434 is formed with a curved projection 438 along one edge thereof which is adapted to be received through a slot in-members 383 and 384, so that the projection extends within the passage through member 384; The projection 438 extends to such 'a distance within the passage 384 and such passage is of such a size that the small balls 3 may pass by the projection 438 without disturbing its position. However, when one of the large balls passes upwardly through the tube 384, such large ball would engage the projection'438 and cause the member 434 to'pivot in a clockwise direction. i l

The lower end of the member 434 is pivotally connected to a curved connecting arm 443 by means of a pivot pin 442. The arm 443 extends over the clutch member 318, and the member 384 is connected to the opposite end of member 443 for movement therewith. 1 Such opposite end of the member 443 is also pivotally connected to a normally lies withinfthe tubular passage formed by member 384. v 

